Process for producing molded golf balls exhibiting isometric compression

ABSTRACT

A golf ball comprising a substantially spherical homogeneous molded mass of elastomer highly cross-linked into a three dimensional network with long, flexible cross-links formed from a metal-containing cross-linkable monomer, said comonomer simultaneously functioning at least in part as a filler, said mass exhibiting substantially isometric compression across any diameter. Advantageously the elastomer comprises polybutadiene and said metal-containing cross-linkable monomer comprises zinc dimethacrylate present in about 15 to 60 parts per 100 parts by weight of the polybutadiene. The composition may additionally contain a small amount of zinc oxide. By proper selection of the shape and make up of the slugs from which the balls are molded or by particular techniques, e.g. laboratory sheeting mills, balls can be produced which have a maximum difference in compression across different diameters of about 5 units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to process for making molded productscontaining cis-polybutadiene or other elastomers, and a monomer capableof cross-linking the elastomer into a three-dimensional network. Morespecifically, the cross-links which are capable of being produced arerelatively long and flexible. Such molding compositions are eminentlysuitable for the production of molded golf balls, particularly unitarymolded golf balls. Molding compositions of this general class, and golfballs which can be produced from them, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,313,545, issued Apr. 11, 1967, and 3,438,933, issued Apr. 15, 1969.

There are several advantages of homogeneous, unitary construction for agolf ball, in contrast to the wound balls of the earlier art. Unitarygolf balls can be produced with a perfect center of gravity and thushave excellent aero-dynamic properties, superior roll, and trueness offlight. Such golf balls are highly resistant to cutting and are oftenindestructible in normal play. These balls will return to round evenwhen severely distorted, and thus maintain their superior flightcharacteristics after extended use.

Homogeneous, unitary golf balls, may be manufactured with better qualitythan conventional wound balls.

As contrasted with the conventionally covered wound balls, unitary ballsmaintain their playing characteristics in hot and in cold weather, havean excellent shelf-life, and will not waterlog. If the paint on the ballbecomes worn or damaged, the balls may be very readily reclaimed byremoving or stripping off the old paint and repainting. By contrast,conventional covered wound balls seldom last long enough to allowrepainting.

Such unitary balls may be molded in mating precision hemisphere molds ordies into which a cylindrical or other shaped slug of moldable materialis placed, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,535 and 3,438,933, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The slugs maybe cut from the extrudate of a mixerextruder. After placing of the slug,of sufficient size to fill the mold, the mold halves are closed, andheat and presure are provided for enough time to cure the moldableelastomer. The moldable material comprises an elastomer, a cross-linkingmonomer, a filler and a cross-linking catalyst. The balls afterdischarge from the mold are buffed, surface treated and then painted andstamped in conventional manner.

Improved unitary molded golf balls are described in Application Ser. No.250,147, filed on June 21, 1972, now pending. The improved unitary golfballs utilize a specific sub-group of cross-linking monomers and canyield molded golf balls with better rebound than prior unitary golfballs, and with superior playing qualities, equal to or surpassing thehighest quality wound golf balls available, and maintaining theadvantages of unitary balls. The improved unitary balls were made withdecreased amounts of filler, preferably less than about 30 phr (partsper 100 parts by weight of elastomer) of filler and more preferably lessthan about 20 phr of filler. These low filler additions are postulatedto give higher rebound and superior distance to these improved golfballs.

However, golf balls made commercially by the normal procedures describedin Application Serial No. 250,147 tend to be non-uniform in compression,and roundness, and consequently are difficult to buff and stamp in thestandard production equipment. As described in Application Ser. No.250,147, these golf balls do possess superior distance qualities ascompared to the standard unitary golf ball, but the improved golf ballshave erratic flight patterns, sometimes veering to the left, sometimesto the right, and sometimes going straight.

While such balls are quite satisfactory, and do constitute animprovement over the standard unitary golf balls with respect todistance, rebound and click, it is an object of the invention to improvefurther the properties of such molded balls with respect to flightpattern, uniformity of compression, roundness, durability, and the like.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

It has been discovered that uniform and improved golf balls of isometricproperties, i.e. having a maximum difference of 10 between thecompressions taken across any diameters of the ball, and having superiorflight pattern, excellent roundness, uniformity of compression anddurability, can be reproducibly obtained by employing specially preparedslugs in the closed mold at the onset of cure. The improved balls aremade without harming the superior distance, rebound and compression ofthe improved golf balls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The elastomer preferred in the present invention is cis-polybutadienecontaining at least 20% cis configuration.

The monomer generally comprises a normally solid metal compound of apolymerizable organic moiety, and a preferred group of such monomers arethe metal salts of unsaturated, polymerizable organic acids. Preferablythe monomer is soluble in the elastomer base; or readily dispersible inthe elastomer under the usual conditions of rubber compounding; or elsethe monomer is capable of being formed in situ from at least oneprecursor which is readily soluble in the elastomer base.

An example of in situ formation is by predispersion of a suitable basicmetal compound in the cis-polybutadiene rubber, such as zinc oxide orcarbonate, followed by the addition of a suitable polymerizable acid,such as acrylic or methacrylic acid. The resulting monomer, zincdiacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate, is thus formed during compounding,and is therefore present in a desirably high degree of dispersion orsolution in the elastomer matrix.

Examples of suitable metals include but are not restricted to zinc,magnesium, calcium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cadmium, lead, barium,zirconium, beryllium, copper, aluminum, tin, iron, antimony and bismuth.Polyvalent metals, i.e. those having a valence higher than 1, andespecially the divalent metals zinc, magnesium, and calcium are apreferred sub-group.

Examples of metal salts of polymerizable organic acids include but arenot restricted to salts of the following general formulas:

a. carboxylates, sulfonates, and sulfinates of the formulas (RCO₂)_(m) .M, R(SO₃)_(m) . M, R(S0₂)_(m) . M, (RCO₂)_(p) . MO, (RSO₃)_(p) . MO,R(SO₂)_(p) .MO;

b. phosphonates of the formulas (R₂ PO₂)_(m) .M, (R₂ PO₂)_(p) .MO,(RPO₃)₉ .M, (RPO₃).M' O;

c. imide salts of the formulas ##STR1## d. tin salts of the formula##STR2## wherein each R independently is a group having at least onepolymerizable olefinic unsaturation,

R' is a divalent group having a polymerizable olefinic unsaturation,

each R" independently is an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group,

M is a metal ion having a valence, m, of from 1 to 5,

M' is a metal ion having a valence of 4,

M" is a metal ion having a valence of 1 or 2,

p is m-2 when m is greater than 2, and

q has the value m/2 when m is 2 or 4.

In (a), (b), (c), and (d), the R's may be alkenyl, aralkenyl,alkenylaryl, heterocyclic, or cycloalkenyl, and contain halogen, nitro,cyano, keto, ester, ether and or amido substituents, provided that themetal containing crosslinking monomer contains at least onepolymerizable olefinic unsaturation per molecule. The alkenyl radicals,when present, preferably are lower alkenyl and the aryl radicals, whenpresent, are preferably phenyl, each of which may be substituted asindicated.

Mixtures of different metal-containing polymerizable monomers may alsobe used within the scope of the present invention, provided that atleast one member of the mixture be homopolymerizable. Other members ofthe mixture may be copolymerizable or homopolymerizable, or else onlycopolymerizable. An example of the second type of monomer is zincdimaleate, which is copolymerizable with zinc dimethacrylate but nothomopolymerizable.

Mixtures of different metal-containing monomers may be used to advantagefor the purpose of adjusting the polymerization rate or the finaldensity of the ball; the density of the ball is desirably below about1.13 and preferably between about 1.11 and 1.12, corresponding to aweight of about 1.5 to 1.62 ounces for a standard golf ball of about1.68 to 1.685 inches in diameter. For example, zinc diacrylate when usedas the sole metalcontaining monomer polymerizes vary rapidly duringcuring, making the curing operation excessively exothermic and difficultto control. Thus, it may be advantageous to use mixtures of zincdiacrylate and zinc dimethacrylate in order to achieve a better balanceof ease of processing, and final characteristics of the ball.

Examples of polymerizable salt-forming acids which are useful in thepresent invention are acrylic, methacrylic, 2-acetaminoacrylic, β,β-dimethacrylic, ethacrylic, α-chloroacrylic, 2-ethyl-3-propylacrylic,acotinic, β-benzoylacrylic, crotonic, aminocrotonic, allylacetic,2-allyloxypropionic, 2-furfurylacrylic, vinylacetic, allyloxyacetic,2-vinylpropionic, vinylhydrogen phthalic, β-acryloxypropionic,2-butene-1,4-dicarboxylic, sorbic, acetylene dicarboxylic,N-butylmaleamic, maleic, chloromaleic, di-n-butylmaleamic,N,N-dimethylmaleamic, N-ethylmaleamic, N-phenylmaleamic, dichloromaleic,dihydroxymaleic, allylarsonic, chlorandic, fumaric, itaconic,styrenesulfonic, divinylbenzenesulfonic, styrenephosphonic, andstyrenesulfinic acids; maleimide, and methylmaleimide. Methacrylic,acrylic, cinnamic, acotinic, crotonic, vinylacetic, itaconic,styrenesulfonic, and benzoylacrylic acids are a preferred sub-group.

The term "metal-containing polymerizable monomers"as employed hereinincludes such monomers which have been at least partially prepolymerizedbefore compounding, or after compounding or processing, and beforecuring. Also included are salts of carboxylic polymers such asbutadieneacrylonitrile-acrylic acid, acrylonitrile-butadiene-sorbicacid, styrene-butadiene-sorbic acid, butadiene-vinylacrylic acid,butadiene-sorbic acid, and the like, provided that these polymerscontain residual polymerizable unsaturations. An advantage of using suchprepolymerized cross-linking salts is that the amount of heat generatedwhen the ball is cured is minimized, in contrast to using unpolymerizedmonomers. The reduced exotherm makes the molding operation more easilycontrolled.

The amount of the metal-containing cross-linking monomer shouldcorrespond to at least about 0.046 equivalent of polymerizableunsaturation per mole of butadiene in the elastomer base, but may be ashigh as 0.38 equivalent per mole. A preferred level of cross-linkingmonomer is about 0.08 to 0.28 equivalent per mole, while a morepreferred range is about 0.10 to 0.23 equivalent per mole. Thus, if thecross-linking monomer selected is zinc dimethacrylate, the morepreferred amounts are in the range of about 15 to 60 phr of zincdimethacrylate.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, mixtures ofmetal-containing and metal-free polymerizable monomers such as esters ofunsaturated acids, may also be used. Examples of metal-freepolymerizable monomers include but are not restricted to vinyl, allyl,methallyl, furfuryl, crotyl and cinnamyl esters of monobasic andpolybasic acids such as acetic, propionic, butyric, benzoic,phenylacetic, chloroacetic, trichloroacetic, oxalic, malonic succinic,glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic, sebacic, maleic, itaconic,citraconic, mesaconic, fumaric, citric, acotinic, phthalic, isophthalic,terephthalic, naphthalenedicarboxylic, mellitic, pyromellitic, tumesic,acrylic, methacrylic, ethacrylic, cinnamic, crotonic, cyanuric,polyolesters and anhydrides of acrylic, methacrylic, ethacrylic,crotonic, and cinnamic acids, the said polyols including ethyleneglycol, di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycol, glycerol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol,propylene glycol, di-, tri-, and tetrapropylene glycols, polyethyeneglycol, and polypropylene glycol; vinyl and divinyl benzene; allyl anddi-allyl benzene; mono-, di-, triallylmelamine; allyl and diallylamine;allyl ether; allyl glycolates; mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraallyl andvinyl silanes; methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, benzyl,phenyl, cyclohexyl, chloroethyl, β-cyanoethyl, dimethylaminoethyl,glycidyl, lauryl, 2-methoxy-ethyl, tetrahydrofurfuryl, hydroxyethyl andhydroxypropyl esters of acrylic, methacrylic, ethacrylic, cinnamic,crotonic, cyanuric, fumaric, maleic, and methylmaleic acids; triallylphosphate and phosphite. Further examples include low molecular weightreactive polymers such as polymers of butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene,and epoxidized derivatives of these materials.

A preferred group of metal-free polymerizable monomers are diacrylatesand dimethacrylates of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and butyleneglycol, di-, and triacrylates and methacrylates of trimethylolpropane,and di-, tri- and tetraacrylates and methacrylates of pentaerythritol.In general, metal-free monomers containing more than one polymerizableunsaturation per molecule are preferred, but monoacrylates andmonomethacrylates of polyols such as ethylene glycol are also highlysuitable.

To vary the density so that the finished ball will have the desiredweight and will not exceed the maximum allowable weight, filler may berequired. However, because the metal-containing monomer will contributea higher density to the stock than other types of monomers such asesters of unsaturated acids, the amount of filler required to adjust thedensity will usually and advantageously be relatively low. Themetal-containing monomer may be considered to function as a receiverfiller as well as a polymerizable cross-linking agent. In some cases,adjustment of the amount of metal-containing monomer is all that isnecessary to obtain the correct ball density, so that no additionalfiller is required.

If an inert filler is desired, any known or conventional filler may beused which should be in finely divided form, as for example, in a formless than about 20 mesh, and preferably less than about 60 U.S. Standardscreen size. Suitable fillers are silica and silicates, zinc oxide,carbon black, cork, titania, cotton flock, cellulose flock, leatherfiber, plastic fiber, plastic flour, leather flour, fibrous fillers suchas asbestos, glass and synthetic fibers, metal oxide and carbonates, andtalc. Particularly useful is the oxide or carbonate of the same metalwhich is present in the metal-containing monomer. Impact modifiers suchas ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene andacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin can also be used. Reinforcingsilicas can be used in combination with silanes to improve rebound ofgolf balls using silica alone as the filler or in combination with zincoxide or other fillers.

The amount of inert filler is dictated mainly by its type and ispreferably less than about 30 phr, i.e. of cis-polybutadiene elastomerbase, and more preferably about 10 to 20 phr.

Advantageously, there is used a polymerization initiator whichdecomposes to produce free radicals during the cure cycle. Thepolymerization initiator need only be present in the catalytic amountrequired for this function and may be in general used in the amountsthat the particular agent is generally used as a polymerizationcatalyst. Suitable initiators include peroxides, persulfates, azocompounds, hydrazines, amine oxides, ionizing radiation, and the like.Peroxides such as dicumyl peroxide,1,1-di-t-butylperoxy-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, di-t-butyl peroxide,and 2,5-bis(t-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane are commercially availableand conveniently used, usually in amounts of about 0.2-10% by weight ofthe elastomer.

An antioxidant may be added to the compound to minimize oxidation duringprocessing and to prevent deterioration of the golf ball during storage.The antioxidant also prevents incipient polymerization and prematurereaction during molding and prevents excessive temperature build upduring molding of the golf ball. However, large amounts of antioxidantretard cure and can result in low compression golf balls. Most usefulquantities of polymer antioxidants are about 0.03 to 4 phr, preferredquantities are about 0.1 to 2 phr, and most preferred are about 0.15 to1.5 phr. Representative antioxidants are alkylidene bis, tris andpolyphenols, and alkylated phenols and bisphenols. Other suitableantioxidants are disclosed in Patent Specification No. 3,886,683 issuedJune 3, 1975, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The method of adding the metal oxide, the maximum temperature duringpreparation of the compound, method of extruding, temperature ofcompound prior to shaping slug and molding temperature affect thequality of the golf ball with respect to uniformity, roundness, flightpattern, durability, click, and compression.

For the production of golf balls, the ingredients may initially be mixedintimately using, for example, rubber mixing rolls or a Banbury mixer,until the composition is uniform. In order to promote good dispersion,the metal-containing monomer may advantageously be formed in situ, forexample from the metal oxide and the corresponding acid. The preferredmethod of preparation is the addition of the monomer over a period ofabout 1 to 20 minutes to from about 1/4 to 3/4 of the rubber-metal oxidemixture using from about 10% less than the equivalent amount to about a100% excess equivalent amount of metal oxide, based on the amount neededto react with all the carboxyl groups, preferably about 80% excess andmore preferably about 50% excess of metal oxide, mixing thoroughly andadding the remainder of the rubber-metal oxide mixture. The peroxide isadded later. The mixing is desirably conducted in such a manner that thecompound does not reach incipient polymerization temperatures.

Another preferred method is the addition of the unsaturated acid over ashort period of time, e.g., about 0.2 to 6 minutes, to a mixture of theelastomer and metal oxide, mixing the ingredients, adding cross-linkingcatalyst, mixing further and dumping the batch.

The molded masses so far described are unitary golf balls, i.e.one-piece balls. With minor modifications, however, they can form thecenters of two- or more piece golf balls including an outer cover,preferably of ionic copolymer. Such covers are known in the art andgenerally range in thickness from about 0.1 to 0.2 inch. The centers insuch event will be somewhat higher in density to bring the overalldensity to the proper level. Thus, the quantity of filler is usuallyhigher, e.g. about 20 to 40 phr and even as high as 50 phr.

In investigating prior golf balls and their production it was found thatthe history and contour of the slugs prior to molding had a pronouncedeffect on the properties of the golf balls molded therefrom. Thus, forexample, extrusion of a cylindrical mass of about the diameter of thegolf balls to be molded and cutting it into slugs produced lines oforientation in the slugs which were retained even after molding,notwithstanding the heat of molding which would have been expected toeffect disorientation. Moreover, this effect was markedly morepronounced with masses including metal-containing monomers as inapplication Ser. No. 250,147, referred to hereinabove; apparently thefixed metal ions have a special orienting effect. At any rate,compression of golf balls measured parallel to the original orientationvaried considerably from compression measured along diameters at rightangles thereto and such latter compressions varied considerably from oneanother, often by as much as 20 units or more. These variations manifestthemselves as variations in performance of the golf balls relative toone another as well as internally, i.e. the ball may veer to the leftsomewhat once but may veer to the right on the next drive.

In molding the balls the slugs can stand up in the mold or can be laidon their sides but, however, positioned, the spherical mold will producean equator where the mold halves meet, which equator will be visibleeven after buffing of the balls, and this equator will define a pair ofpoles. Measurements of compression across the poles and across any twoequatorial diameters at right angles to one another is a quick andfairly reliable way of ascertaining the variability within a given ball.

In accordance with the invention it was found that such variabilitycould be minimized within each ball and from ball to ball by eliminatingthe effect of orientation insofar as possible. This can be done byutilizing a slug-forming technique which avoids orientation or bycombining masses of material into slugs in such fashion that uponmolding the individual orientations balance off against one another sothe resulting ball is isometric, i.e. compression wherever measured issubstantially the same. This isometricity can be achieved, for example,by employing relatively long, narrow slugs which, upon closing of themold halves, will buckle like a column in filling the mold so that theoriginal longitudinal lines of orientation will be arcuate or circular.Alternately, slugs made up of three or more sub-slugs (or even two, withspecial histories) and combined in particular spatial arrangementsproduce isometric balls. Use of rubber sheeting rolls rather thanextruders, as well as higher temperatures, will tend to minimize theamount of orientation imparted and thus the amount of orientation to beovercome.

There follow details about several techniques in slug formation whichwill contribute to isometricity but they are merely illustrative andothers may readily suggest themselves once the problem is in mind.

For example, the slug should not be wider than about 1.7 inches sincethat is the dimension of the mold cup and preferably should be in therange of about 0.7 to 1.5 inches. Although golf balls can be made usingslugs having a diameter greater than about 1.7 inches, considerablewaste of material results. The slug height should not exceed about 3.5inches, since the slugs tend to topple in the mold cup causing loss ofmaterial and incomplete golf balls. Preferably heights for slug shapesare about 1.5 to 3.3 inches. A more preferred height for slugs which areto buckle is about 2.5 to 3.3 inches, approximately circular cylindricalslugs performing better at the greater lengths while cylinders withindentations, e.g. Maltese-- cross of the like, performingsatisfactorily even at the shorter lengths. Another consideration is thetop and bottom shape of the slug. The most preferred shape is convex sothat air is not trapped in the mold, leading to brown spots and/orincompletely molded areas on the surface of the golf ball. Approximatelycylindrical slugs having essentially flat or convex top and bottomsurfaces produce essentially brown-spot-free golf balls.

With these considerations in view, techniques to prepare slugs havingshapes necessary to provide uniform golf balls will be described.

The mixture may be sheeted on a roll mill and the sheet rolled into acylinder about 2.5 inches in diameter. The roll is cut into suitableslugs having multi-lines of orientation.

Another technique is to mill the stock on a warm mill, preferably about40° to 60° C, and feed the warmed stock to a Barwell extruder - a ramtype extruder. The stock is extruded through a Maltese cross or clovershaped die to give shapes which upon pressing in the mold givemulti-oriented shapes.

Another technique is to sheet the stock on a mill, strip off 4-inch widestrips and feed the strips to a rubber-type extruder. The stock isextruded through a die to form a strand of approximately hemisphericalcross-section. After cooling to room temperature, two strands arepressed together along their flat sides and cut into half-length slugsby a slug cutter. One half-length slug is separated and the componentsplaced on top and bottom of a non-separated half-length slug to give acapped slug. Alternately, the slug can be molded as is to give amulti-oriented shape upon press closure.

Other shaped dies can be used to obtain the desired effect from extrudedstock. Alternatively, sheets of stock can be cross-laminated to give amulti-oriented effect and suitably shaped slugs can be stamped out fromthe sheet, like shoe soles, to give suitably shaped slugs.

The molding is effected in mating, precision hemisphere molds or dieswhose molding surface is covered with multiple regular projections togive the molded ball conventional dimpled or waffled surface appearancein order to improve its aero-dynamic characteristics. The molding is asimple, straight-forward operation effected in the conventional mannerused in precision molding. The material, after being thoroughly mixed,is formed into suitably shaped slugs, as described herein, which willfacilitate insertion in the mold, and proportioned so that the mold isfully filled. The mating halves of the mold are then closed so that themold cavity is entirely filled. The mold halves may be held togetherwith pressures between about 100 and 150,000 psi, preferably about 5,000to 10,000 psi.

Molding temperature may vary depending on the particular compositionused and may, for example, range between about 130° and 200° C. Curingtimes may range from about 1 to 50 minutes, and preferably about 5 to 30minutes.

It is preferred to optimize the curing time and temperature in order toobtain the best properties of the golf ball. The best curing conditionsare dependent upon the particular formulation selected. Because of thehighly exothermic nature of the curing process, the properties of thepresent golf balls are highly sensitive to curing conditions, incontrast to the prior art balls made using only metal-free monomers.

After molding, the balls are removed from the mold and any mold marksbuffed off, and the ball is painted and marked, and is then ready foruse. Painting may be effected in the conventional manner using theconventional paints used for golf balls, as for example, enamel,polyurethane, epoxy, acrylic, or vinyl paints.

The resultant isometric gold balls have maximum differences of 10compression units or less, often 5 units or less, when compressionreadings are taken at two or more places on the surface of the golfball, typical places being the pole and two spots on the equator,although any other spots on the surface of the ball can be selected. Thegolf balls can have compression values from about 40 to 130, preferablyabout 50 to 120 and moe preferably about 60 to 110.

The term "Compression" in the golf ball industry relates to an arbitraryvalue expressed by a number which can range from 0 to over 100, and thatdefines the deflection that a golf ball undergoes when subjected to acompressive loading. The specific test is made in an apparatus fashionedin the form of a small press with an upper and lower anvil. The upperanvil is at rest against a 200-pound die spring, and the lower anvil ismovable through 0.300 inches by means of a crank mechanism. In its openposition the gap between the anvils is 1.780 inches allowing a clearanceof 0.100 inches for insertion of the ball. As the lower anvil is raisedby the crank, it compresses the ball against the upper anvil, suchcompression occurring during the last 0.200 inches of stroke of thelower anvil, the ball then loading the upper anvil which in turn loadsthe spring. The equilibrium point of the upper anvil is measured by adial micrometer if the anvil is deflected by the ball more than 0.100inches (less deflection is simply regarded as zero compression) and thereading on the micrometer dial is referred to as the compression of theball. In practice, tournament quality balls have compression ratingsaround 90 or 100 which means that the upper anvil was deflected a totalof 0.190 or 0.200 inches.

Another property which is measured in the following examples and/or inassessing performance of golf balls is the cannon life. The cannon lifetest is a measure of the durability of gold ball under severe impactconditions. In this test, a box is constructed of 1/4-inch thick steelplate in the shape of a rectangular prism with edges 2 ft. by 2 ft. by 3ft. One end of a steel tube 1.687 inches in internal diameter by 5 ft.long is sealed to one 2 ft. by 3 ft. face of the box at a point which isone foot from a 2 ft. edge and the same distance from a 3 ft. edge. Theaxis of the tube is inclined 45° to a line parallel to the 2 ft. edge ofsaid face, and 80° to a line parallel to the 3 ft. edge of the face. Theother end of the tube is connected to a 20-gallon air tank via afast-acting valve and contains a port for introducing a golf ball. Thetube thus constitutes an air cannon.

In operation, the air tank is pressurized to 40 or 70 pounds per squareinch, and the ball is shot into the box by sudden release of the airpressure. The "cannon life" is the average number of successive shotswhich a golf ball will withstand before rupturing or otherwise becomingunplayable. Usually about four to ten balls are tested for cannon life,and the results are averaged.

The invention will be further described in the following illustrativeexamples wherein all parts are by weight unless otherwise expressed.

EXAMPLE 1

To a No. 3A Banbury were added 72 pounds of 98% cis-polybutadiene, 27pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene and 100 grams of antioxidant2,2'-methylene bis(4-methyl-6-tertiary butyl phenol). The 98%cis-polybutadiene is Taktene 1203 made by Polysar Limited. Theantioxidant is made by American Cyanamid Co. under the trade name of AO2246. The ingredients were blended and 19 pounds of glacial methacrylicacid were added rapidly to the mixture and blended with the mixture. Themasterbatch was sheeted on a plant mill (16 × 42"). The stock wasreturned to the Banbury and five pounds of Di-Cup 40C was mixed with thecompound. The blend was dumped, sheeted and extruded through an ovalshaped die to give slugs with a width across the cut face of 1 5/8-inch,across the exposed side of 1 1/8-inch and a height of 2 1/8-inch. Atypical slug gave compression at the pole of 107 and at the equatorminimum compression value was 104 and maximum compression value was 120for a difference at the equator of 16 points. These golf balls gaveerratic flight patterns and veered to the right or left, slicing orhooking when hit by a hitting-machine, and somtimes would go straightwithout alteration of flight path. Compression data for other golf ballswere:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression Units                                                             Pole       Equator           Diff.                                            ______________________________________                                        106        102        118        16                                           111         95        111        16                                           107        120        102        18                                           107        100        118        18                                           105        116         97        19                                           107        104        120        16                                           107        121         98        23                                           107        100        120        20                                           105        120         98        22                                           108        114         97        17                                           107        116        100        16                                           106        120        108        14                                           107        121         97        24                                           106        120         96        24                                           106        120         93        27                                           105        110         97        13                                           105        117        102        15                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

A blend was made of 266.7 grams of 98% cis-polybutadiene and 99.9 gramsof a 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene masterbatch on a laboratory mill.To the blend was added 0.816 gram Antioxidant 2246, followed by 70.5grams of glacial methacrylic acid. The ingredients were mixed thoroughlyand 18.5 grams of Di-Cup 40C was mixed into the batch. The stock wassheeted, rolled and a slug having a diameter of about 1.5 × 1.25-inchesand a height of about 2 inches was cut from the rolled sheet. The slugwas molded at the edge of the press for 30 minutes at about 156° C. Agolf ball has a compression of 94 at the pole and compressions of 94 and97 at the equator. The golf ball had excellent feel and rebound and hadtrue and consistent flight pattern. Another golf ball had compressionvalues of 93 at three different points on the golf ball.

EXAMPLE 3

To the No. 3A Banbury were added 75 pounds of 98% cis-polybutadiene and14 pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/ cis-polybutadiene masterbatch containing2,2'-methylene bis(4-methyl-6-tertiary butyl phenol). The ingredientswere mixed thoroughly and 19.8 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid werepumped into the Banbury over a period of 7.5 minutes. The ingredientswere mixed and 14 pounds of the 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene blendwas added. The ingredients were blended, dumped, sheeted on a mill andreturned to the Banbury where 5.25 pounds of Di-Cup 40C was blended intothe batch. Stock was extruded through an oval die and slugs were cutacross the cut face of the slug. One piece was rotated 90° and placedover the other piece. The final slug was about 2 1/4-inches high andabout 1 1/4-inch × 1 3/8-inches in area. Slightly less than half (about7/8-inch) of each of the four faces of the slug consisted of a cutsurface and slightly more than half (about 1 3/8-inch) consisted of askin surface. Slugs were molded at 155° C. Compression values were:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression        Difference                                                 Pole      Equator      Pole-Eq.    Eq-Eq.                                     ______________________________________                                        99        112    108       13        4                                        97        108    100       11        8                                        100       112     98       12        14                                       ______________________________________                                    

Another batch of golf balls was molded from a different production batchusing the same slug preparation. Compression values for individual golfballs were:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression        Difference                                                 Pole      Equator      Pole-Eq.    Eq-Eq.                                     ______________________________________                                        85         96    97        12        1                                        93        105    97        12        8                                        99        107    100        8        7                                        96        103    98         7        5                                        95        112    94        17        8                                        95        107    95        12        12                                       95        106    104       11        2                                        93        110    106       17        4                                        95        107    101       12        6                                        95        111    106       16        5                                        97        108    98        11        10                                       90        106    96        16        10                                       90        106    98        16        8                                        70         88    80        18        8                                        ______________________________________                                    

Although there was a distinct improvement in the compression differencebetween the pole and the equator as compared to Example 1, thecompression difference between the pole and the equator was high.

Stock from the first production batch was milled into 174 -inch thichsheets. Two sheets were cross-laminated, and 50-gram slugs were preparedabout 1.5-inches wide, 0.5-inch deep and about 3.5-inches long. Theslugs were molded at 155° C. Compression values were:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression        Difference                                                 Pole      Equator      Pole-Eq.    Eq-Eq.                                     ______________________________________                                        104       108    101        4        7                                        100       112    106       12        6                                        109       112     97       12        15                                       101       110     98        9        12                                        98       110    102       12        8                                        102       112    103       10        9                                        ______________________________________                                    

Although the overall compression uniformity was improved compared toExample 1, the uniformity was not isometric, indicating more laminatesare needed to eliminate the effect of orientation.

EXAMPLE 4

Compound made in the Banbury was extruded through a split half-moon dieand cut into two-piece 50-gram slugs. Each half slug was 1.5 incheslong, 1.5 inches wide at the flat inside and 12/16 inch deep. The twoflat inside sections of the slug were sliced, to remove the skin, thetwo sections were pushed together and the skins were placed on the topand bottom halves so that no cut surfaces were exposed. The slugs weremolded at 155° C for 30 minutes to give four golf balls with thesecompressions:

    ______________________________________                                        At Pole   At Equator     Max. Diff.                                           ______________________________________                                        96        94      89         7                                                94        96      90         6                                                88        88      78         10                                               ______________________________________                                    

Compound made in the Banbury was extruded through the split half-moondie, cut into 50-gram slugs as described above, the outside surfaces(skin) near the top and bottom were stretched and the two sections werepushed together to minimize the exposed amount of cut surface. Typicalcompression values for the golf balls were:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole      Equator        Max. Diff.                                           ______________________________________                                        99        96      92          7                                               102       97      90         12                                               96        96      90          6                                               100       96      90         10                                               101       97      90         11                                               97        95      87         10                                               98        98      89          9                                               100       95      89         11                                               99        98      94          5                                               ______________________________________                                    

Three golf balls had differences of 13 to 15. The differences of 11-15were attributed to the memory of the batch, causing the slug to returnto its original shape and exposing the cut and oriented surface.

EXAMPLE 5

To a π3A Banbury were added 71.25 pounds of 98% cis-polybutadiene and14.6 pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cispolybutadiene masterbatch. Theingredients were mixed and 17.1 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid werepumped into the Banbury. After the addition was completed, the batch wasmixed and 12.0 pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene was dumpedinto the Banbury. The batch was mixed, dumped and sheeted on a plant2-roll mill. The sheets were allowed to cool to room temperature.

The sheets were returned to the Banbury and 4.75 pounds of Di-Cup 40Cwere added. The ingredients were mixed, dumped and the compound sheetedon a plant mill.

Sheeted stock was mixed on a mill at a stock temperature of 34° C andextruded in a Barwell machine through a three-sided star (tri-clovershaped) die - 3-inch die 7/8-inch aperture, 1/8-inch land and 45° leadusing a barrel temperature of 34° C to give a very irregular slug -through a 3-inch die with 15/16-inch aperture, 1/8-inch land, 45° leadwith four-sided star design (Maltese cross shaped) to give 1 5/8-inchdiameter and 1 1/4-inch long slug, and through a 3-inch die with adiamond-shaped aperture to give a very irregular shaped slug that wasnot readily moldable. Seven golf balls made at 155° C using the clovershaped die had an average compression of 90, a pole-equator compressiondifference of 6.3 and a cannon life of 7, whereas 11 golf balls made at155° C using the Maltese cross shaped die had an average compression of97, a pole-equator compression difference of 12 and a cannon life of 3.

The compressions for the seven golf balls using the clover shaped diewere:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole        Equator         Diff.                                             ______________________________________                                        91          90      82          9                                             91          95      91          4                                             85          96      92          11                                            95          93      87          8                                             88          92      89          4                                             90          92      90          2                                             88          94      90          6                                             ______________________________________                                    

The compression for the 11 golf balls using the Maltese cross shaped diewere:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole        Equator         Diff.                                             ______________________________________                                        102         94      93           9                                            91          91      80          11                                            97          93      87          10                                            91          90      80           1                                            86          87      77          10                                            97          86      82          15                                            100         95      88          12                                            103         89      88          15                                            98          88      81          17                                            104         92      86          18                                            96          88      81          15                                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

Compound made in Example 5 was mixed on a mill at 50° C using a barreltemperature of 40° C and extruded in a Barwell unit. The Barwellextruder is a hydraulically operated ram type extruder which uses vacuumto reduce the porosity of the extrudate and a constant speed cuttermounted on a flywheel to produce accurate blanks. Stock was extrudedthrough a 3-inch die with 1/8-inch aperture, 1/8-inch land, 45° lead,and a three-sided star design with 1 3/16 inch diameter and 3 1/8-inchlong, and gave 17 golf balls having an average compression of 88, apole-equator difference of 5.8 and a cannon life of 12. Slug size fromthis die was 1 3/16 -inch diameter and 3 1/8-inch height.

Typical compression values for the golf balls were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole        Equator         Diff.                                             ______________________________________                                        88          94      93          6                                             85          93      90          8                                             88          92      90          4                                             90          93      91          3                                             88          97      90          9                                             ______________________________________                                    

Stock was extruded through a 3-inch die with 15/16-inch aperture,1/8-inch land, 45° lead and with four-sided star design to give slughaving 1 9/16 -inch diameter and 2 5/16 -inch height. The slugs weremolded at 155° C to give eight golf balls having an average compressionof 95, a pole-equator difference of 5.2 and a cannon life of 15.

Compression values for the golf balls were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole        Equator         Diff.                                             ______________________________________                                        98          89      89          9                                             97          91      88          9                                             88          88      85          3                                             97          95      92          5                                             95          97      97          2                                             93          92      90          3                                             ______________________________________                                    

Stock was extruded through a 3-inch die with a 15/16 -inch aperture,1/8-inch land, 45° lead to give cylinder shaped slugs having a 11/2-inch diameter and 2-inch height. The slugs were molded for 30minutes at 155° C to give 21 golf balls having an average compression of99, a pole-eqator difference of 12.9 and a cannon life of 14. The golfballs had a brown spot on one pole, indicating air was entrapped in themold.

Typical compression values for the golf balls were:

    ______________________________________                                        Pole        Equator         Diff.                                             ______________________________________                                        103         88      87          16                                            98          86      85          13                                            93          84      86           9                                            102         85      86          17                                            101         88      88          13                                            91          84      86           7                                            99          84      83          16                                            ______________________________________                                    

In this series, golf balls having uniform compression properties andacceptable cannon life were made using clover and Maltese cross shapedslugs that were prepared by warming the stock to 50° C prior to Barwellextrusion. Essentially little orientation existed in the stock aftermilling at 50° C and the warm stock was not oriented by Barwellextrusion. Milling the stock at room temperature and extruding therelatively cold stock in the Barwell produced non-uniform golf balls.

EXAMPLE 7

To a π 3A Banbury were added 71.25 pounds of 98% cis-polybutadiene, 14.6pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene. The ingredients were mixedthoroughly and 17.1 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid were pumpedslowly into the Banbury. The ingredients were mixed and 12.0 pounds of2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene blend were added. The ingredients wereblended, dumped, sheeted on a mill, and returned to the Banbury where4.75 pounds of Di-Cup 40C was blended into the batch. Stock was extrudedthrough a split-die (half-moon) 1 1/8-inch long by 1/2-inch at thecenter of the half-moon. The extrudates were allowed to cool to roomtemperature. Then two strings were pressed together and 50-gram slugswere cut. The slugs were about 1 7/8-inches high, 1.5-inches wide.Typical compressions of golf balls from two production runs were asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                        Production Run 1                                                                                 Diff.                                                      Pole      Equator        P-E     E-E                                          ______________________________________                                        100       83       83        17    0                                           99       88       83        16    5                                          100       85       83        17    2                                           96       84       83        13    1                                           97       86       86        11    0                                           98       85       85        13    0                                          101       86       84        17    2                                           98       82       81        17    1                                           96       82       81        15    1                                          102       85       84        18    1                                          100       83       80        20    3                                          100       82       82        18    0                                          ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                        Production Run 2                                                              Pole      Equator        P-E     E-E                                          ______________________________________                                        100       85       84        16    1                                          99        86       86        13    0                                          97        84       83        14    1                                          97        86       85        12    1                                          102       88       87        15    1                                          99        85       84        15    1                                          101       88       86        15    2                                          95        85       81        14    4                                          99        82       82        17    0                                          103       88       88        15    0                                          95        85       85        10    0                                          96        86       85        11    1                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

To a π 3A Banbury were added 70 pound of 98% cispolybutadiene, 14.3pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene. The ingredients were mixedthoroughly and 17.3 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid were pumpedslowly into the Banbury. The ingredients were mixed and 11.8 pounds of2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene was added. The ingredients wereblended, dumped, sheeted on a mill, and returned to the Banbury where3.5 pounds of Di-Cup 40C was blended into the batch. Stock was extrudedthrough a split-die (half-moon shape) described in Example 7 to give25-gram slugs about 1 1/4-inch long and about 1 1/4-inch wide across andabout 1 1/8-inch wide along the flat side.

The extrudates were allowed to cool to room temperature. Two stringswere pressed together and 25-gram slugs were cut. Every other pair ofcut slugs was separated and the two halves were placed over the top andbottom half of a non-separated pair so that the uncut surfaces rested onthe cut surfaces of the non-separated pair and so that the cut surfacesof the separated pair were horizontal and constituted the only exposedcut surfaces. Also, the round surfaces of the half moon nestled into theround surfaces of the cup molds. The slug was about 2.5-inches high and1 1/8× 1 3/8-inch in area. The slug was molded for 30 minutes at about155° C.

Typical compression values for individual golf balls were:

    ______________________________________                                        No. 1                                                                         Compression       Diameter                                                    Pole   Equator  Diff.     Pole Equator                                                                              Diff.                                   ______________________________________                                        94     98       4         1.683                                                                              1.685  8                                       95     97       2         1.682                                                                              1.680  2                                       99     101      2         1.671                                                                              1.674  3                                       95     101      6         1.678                                                                              1.685  7                                       89     89       0         1.675                                                                              1.673  2                                       98     100      2         1.682                                                                              1.678  4                                       97     99       2         1.678                                                                              1.684  6                                       97     103      6         1.678                                                                              1.674  4                                       91     100      9         1.674                                                                              1.678  4                                       92     95       3         1.675                                                                              1.676  1                                       88     91       3         1.672                                                                              1.678  6                                       101    102      1         1.671                                                                              1.678  7                                       93     98       5         1.677                                                                              1.676  1                                       96     104      8         1.677                                                                              1.682  5                                       ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         No. 2                                                                        ______________________________________                                        86          94         92         8                                           96          95         94         2                                           97          89         88         9                                           91          98         91         7                                           92          95         90         5                                           92          96         86         10                                          93          97         87         10                                          97          99         89         10                                          90          94         93         4                                           93          97         89         8                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9

To a π 3A Banbury were added 70 pounds of 98% cispolybutadiene, 14.3pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene. The ingredients were mixedand 18.1 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid were added slowly and 14.3pounds of 2/1 zinc oxide/cis-polybutadiene was added. The ingredientswere blended, dumped, sheeted on a mill, and returned to the Banburywhere 3.5 pounds of Di-Cup 40C was blended into the batch. Stock wasextruded through a 1-inch dented circle die, the dents having 1/4-inchsides and using a piano wire across the face of the die to give twoextrudate strings. The extrudates were allowed to cool to roomtemperature and fed to a slugcutter to obtain slugs about 2 3/4-incheslong and about 1 1/4-inches wide. The slugs were molded into golf balls.The golf balls had a cannon life of 16, 17 and 17 for three individualballs. Typical compression and roundness data for the golf balls were:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression       Diameter                                                    Pole   Equator  Diff.     Pole Equator                                                                              Diff.                                   ______________________________________                                        97     92       5         1.690                                                                              1.685  5                                       88     94       6         1.685                                                                              1.688  3                                       90     89       1         1.685                                                                              1.678  7                                       97     92       5         1.690                                                                              1.685  5                                       88     94       6         1.685                                                                              1.688  3                                       90     89       1         1.685                                                                              1.678  7                                       83     93       10        1.675                                                                              1.678  3                                       86     93       7         1.680                                                                              1.680  0                                       83     88       5         1.675                                                                              1.673  2                                       78     88       10        1.674                                                                              1.676  2                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

To a π 3A Banbury were added 26 pounds of a 130/65/0.88 zincoxide/cis-polybutadiene/2.2'-methylene bis (4-methyl-6-tertiary butylphenol) masterbatch and 70 pounds of cis-polybutadiene. The ingredientswere mixed for 1 minute and 18.3 pounds of glacial methacrylic acid wereadded over a 4-minute period. The ingredients were mixed for 8 minutesand 3.5 pounds of Di-Cup 40C were added. The ingredients were mixed forseveral minutes, dumped, sheeted on a plant mill and extruded through asplit die. The extrudate was cut into slugs which were molded 30 minutesat 155° C. Each slug consisted of four sections, 1 1/8-inch long,3/4-inch deep across the half-moon section and 1 1/4-inch wide along thehalf-moon section. Two pieces were placed together along the flat sidesand one piece was placed flatside down on the top side and the other wasplaced flatside up on the bottomside. The slugs were preweighed to 48.5and 49.0 grams. Compression values for individual golf balls were:

    ______________________________________                                        Compression        Difference                                                 Pole      Equator      Pole-Eq.    Eq-Eq.                                     48.5-gram Slugs                                                               ______________________________________                                        88        90     85        3         5                                        93        98     89        5         9                                        87        87     85        2         2                                        88        88     85        3         3                                        82        84     80        2         4                                        82        90     88        8         2                                        81        87     84        6         3                                        92        91     90        2         1                                        90        92     90        2         2                                        92        90     89        3         1                                        85        84     80        5         4                                        83        85     83        2         2                                        85        85     83        2         2                                        90        92     91        1         1                                        94        103    95        9         8                                        ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                        Compression        Difference                                                 Pole      Equator      Pole-Eq.    Eq-Eq.                                     49.0-gram Slugs                                                               ______________________________________                                        87        95     93        8         2                                        92        94     93        2         1                                        93        95     90        3         5                                        94        95     86        8         9                                        91        91     92        1         1                                        93        93     91        2         2                                        96        91     90        6         1                                        87        92     90        5         2                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11

To a π 3A Banbury were added 43.1 pounds of a 124/62 zinc oxide/98%cis-polybutadiene masterbatch and 65.6 pounds of 98% cis-polybutadiene.The ingredients were mixed for one minute and 15.2 pounds of glacialmethacrylic acid with 108.8 grams of 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tertiary butyl phenol) were added over a period of fourminutes. The ingredients were mixed for 15 minutes and 4 pounds ofDi-Cup 40C were added. The ingredients were mixed, dumped, sheeted on aplant mill, and extruded through a split die. The strands were cut into25-gram slugs; each slug consisted of two sections. The sections were5/8-inch deep, 1.5-inches long along the half-moon and about 3/4-inchhigh at the center of the half-moon. A pair was separated and the flatpart of one section was placed on top and the other on the bottom ofanother pair. The final slug was about 1-5/8 inch wide, 1-3/8-inch deepand 2-1/4-inch high. Several slugs were prepared by this method. Theslugs were molded for 15 minutes at 175° C. Compression values were:

    ______________________________________                                        Polar            Equatorial                                                   ______________________________________                                        54               52      50                                                   51               50      47                                                   49               44      53                                                   55               58      55                                                   52               54      54                                                   51               55      53                                                   58               60      55                                                   48               51      48                                                   56               60      54                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The centers can be converted into two-piece golf balls by moldingionomer compolymers onto the centers at 150° C.

EXAMPLE 12

To a π 3A Banbury were added 56 pounds of 98% cispolybutadiene, 23pounds of silica, 10 pounds of high molecular weight polyethylene, 400grams of titanium dioxide, 800 grams each of magnesium oxide and Di-Cup40C and 200 grams of antioxidant 2,2'-methylene bis(4-methyl-6-tertiarybutyl phenol). The ingredients were mixed for one minute and 22 poundsof trimethylol propane trimethacrylate was added. The batch was mixedfor 9 minutes, dumped, sheeted and extruded through the oval shaped diedescribed in Example 1. Golf balls were molded at 175° C using the slugsdescribed in Example 1. Compression data were:

    ______________________________________                                        Polar            Equatorial                                                   ______________________________________                                        92               92      92                                                   88               88      85                                                   85               83      83                                                   80               82      82                                                   92               92      90                                                   83               83      78                                                   85               81      81                                                   85               88      85                                                   84               82      78                                                   87               88      87                                                   78               82      78                                                   88               84      80                                                   ______________________________________                                    

It will be appreciated that the instant specification and examples areset forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. In the production of a molded golf ball wherein across-linkable elastomer is continuously extruded through a die to forman extrudate, said extrudate is cut into slugs of the appropriatepredetermined mass, and said slugs are molded in golf ball molds to formgolf balls, the improvement which comprises forming said extrudate andcutting it so as to produce approximately cylindrical slugs about 2.5 to3.3 inches long and having substantially flat or convex top and bottomsurfaces, whereby the resulting golf balls are isometric.
 2. The processof claim 1, wherein said extrudate comprises an elastomer, ametal-containing cross-linkable monomer in part functioning as a filler,and an additional filler in up to about 50 parts per 100 parts by weightof said elastomer.
 3. The process of claim 2, wherein said elastomercomprises polybutadiene, said metal containing cross-linkable monomer ispresent in about 15 to 60 parts per 100 parts by weight of thepolybutadiene and comprises a salt of at least one metal selected fromthe group consisting of zinc, magnesium and calcium, and at least oneacid selected from the group consisting of methacrylic, acrylic,cinnamic, acotinic, crotonic, vinylacetic, itaconic, styrenesulfonic andbenzoylacrylic acids.
 4. The process of claim 2, wherein said golf ballis a unitary golf ball, said elastomer comprises polybutadiene, saidmetal containing cross-linkable monomer is present in about 15 to 60parts per 100 parts by weight of the polybutadiene and comprises a saltof at least one metal selected from the group consisting of methacrylic,acrylic, cinnamic, acotinic, crotonic, vinylacetic, itaconic,styrenesulfonic and benzoylacrylic acids, and said filler comprisesabout 10 to 20 parts by weight of zinc oxide per 100 parts by weight ofthe polybutadiene.
 5. In the production of a molded golf ball wherein across-linkable elastomer is continuously extruded through a die to forman extrudate, said extrudate is cut into slugs of the appropriatepredetermined mass, and said slugs are molded in golf ball molds to formgolf balls or golf ball centers, the improvement which comprisessubdividing each slug into sub-slugs and assembling a plurality ofsub-slugs into a new slug wherein the initially parallel longitudinaldirections of said sub-slugs are at angles to one another in said newslug, whereby the resulting golf balls are isometric.
 6. A processaccording to claim 5, wherein each new slug comprises at least threesub-slugs, a central short sub-slug capped on top and bottom by halvesof another short sub-slug, said halves being formed by a longitudinaldiametric cut and being placed with their cut faces contacting the topand bottom of said central sub-slug so as to leave exposed only minimalareas of the cut faces and ends of said sub-slugs.
 7. The process ofclaim 5, wherein said extrudate comprises an elastomer, ametal-containing cross-linkable monomer in part functioning as a filler,and an additional filler in up to about 50 parts per 100 parts by weightof said elastomer.
 8. The process of claim 7, wherein said elastomercomprises polybutadiene, said metal containing cross-linkable monomer ispresent in about 15 to 60 parts per 100 parts by weight of thepolybutadiene and comprises a salt of at least one metal selected fromthe group consisting of zinc, magnesium and calcium, and at least oneacid selected from the group consisting of methacrylic, acrylic,cinnamic, acotinic, crotonic, vinylacetic, itaconic, styrenesulfonic andbenzoylacrylic acids.
 9. The process of claim 7, wherein said golf ballis a unitary golf ball, said elastomer comprises polybutadiene, saidmetal containing cross-linkable monomer is present in about 15 to 60parts per 100 parts by weight of the polybutadiene and comprises a saltof at least one acid selected from the group consisting of methacrylic,acrylic, cinnamic, acotinic, crotonic, vinylacetic, itaconic,styrenesulfonic and benzoylacrylic acids, and said additional fillercomprises about 10 to 20 parts by weight of zinc oxide per 100 parts byweight of the polybutadiene.